Massage device



July 12 1927.

T. A. BUCKLEY MASSAGE DEVICE Filed July 14, 1926 INVENTOR Hands ABucllqyY E N R O n A Patented July 12, 1927.

UNITED STATES THOMAS ANDREW BUCKLEY, OF KEBS, NEW YORK. I

MASSAGE DEVICE.

Application filed July 14, 1926. Serial No. 122,446.

This invention relates to improvements in massage devices for themassage and cleaning of the gums and mouth tissues.

The primary object of the invention resides in a massage device adaptedto be provided on the free end of the handle of a tooth brush for use inconnection with keeping the gums in a healthy condition, whereby thegums may be massaged to stimulate the tissues for preventing disease dueto lack of proper exercise of the gums.

Another object of the invention is to provide a massage device whichincludes a novel means for removably clamping a massage l5 element suchas a wad of absorbent cotton, so that the same may readily be removedafter use and a clean element inserted, thus making the device highlysanitary.

A further object of the invention-is the provision of a massage devicewhich is simple in construction, easy of operation, and inexpensive ofmanufacture.

Vith these and other objects in view, the invention resides in certainnovel construction and combination and arrangement of parts, theessential features of which are hereinafter fully described, areparticularly pointed out in the appended claims, and are illustrated inthe accompanying drawing, in \vhich:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved massage device showing onemanner of clamping the massage element.

Figure 2 is a similar view but showing a different manner of clampingthe massage element.

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectional view on the line3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 1. I

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectional view onthe line5-5 of Figure 2.

Referring more particularly to the draw tudinally therein as shown inFigures 1, 3

and 4 of the drawing.

The massage element 16 in the present instance is shown as a wad ofabsorbent cotton or other soft material and the same is inserted betweenthe jaws 14 by slightly spreading the same. For holding the jaws inclamping position'with the massage element, I provide a U-shaped bail 17having inwardly bent trunnions 18 extending into recesses provided inthe sides of one of the jaws adjacent the free end thereof forswingingly mounting the bail thereon. The adjacent end of the other jawis provided with a transverse groove or notch 19 for the reception ofthe bight portion of the U- shaped bail when swung to a'position to seattherein, while the extreme end of said jaw is rounded as at 20 toprovide a cam surface for the bail to ride upon when clamping the jawstogether.

' In Figures 2 and 5, I have shown the jaws 14 as clamping the massageelement 16 in a transverse position, at which time the massage elementis inserted to seat within the longitudinal curved seats 21 provided inthe jaws adjacent the free ends thereof with a portion of the massageelement extending beyond the ends of the jaws. It will be seen that inthis position, the bail 17 is prevented from being swung to seat withinthe notch 19, but I provide a sliding sleeve or collar 22 upon the jaws14 for wedging engagement therewith. However, if the massage element ismoved further back into the jaws so as not to extend beyond'the ends ofthe same, the bail may be used in connection with the collar forcompressing and holding the jaws in clamping position.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that I have constructeda massage device for the gums and mouth tissues which is not intendedtoreplace the well-known tooth brush for cleaning the teeth, but to beused in conjunction therewith. It will be appreciated that the devicemay be constructed with just a plain handle without bristles, but byhaving the same as part of the tooth brush, it is thought that its usewill be encouraged. At present it is the practice by some persons to usethe bristles of the brush for massaging the gums, but

the bristles being relatively stiff might tend to injure the tissues. Inthe use of the massage device, the same is moved within the mouthsimilar to the brushmg action of the tooth brush so that any oneunskilled may keep their gums in a healthy condition. The massageelement may he quickly and easily replaced after use so as to keep thedevice in a highly sanitary condition at all times.

lVhile I have described what I deem to" be the most desirable embodimentof my lUVOlltlUll, it is obvious that many of the details may be variedwithout in any Way departing from the spirit of my invention, and Itherefore do not limit myself to the exact details of constructionherein set forth nor to anything less than the whole of my inventionlimited only by the ap* pended claims. I

hat is claimed as new is 2- l. A massage device comprising a handlememher havingone of its ends bifurcated to provide a pair of spacedresilient jaws for the reception of a massage element, a bailswinging-1y mounted on the free end of one of said jaws, and a notchprovided on the other of said jaws for the reception of said bail whensviuno to a clam Jinn )osition.

2. A massage device comprising a handle member having one of its endsbifurcated to provide a pair of spaced resilient, aws having their innereo-acting' faces provided with longitudinal grooves, a yieldahle mas-THOMAS All DREW BUCKLEY.

